Putting the rail into retail: FTA study shows why more retailers are getting 'On track!'

Thursday 02 February 2012

The retail sector's reputation as leaders of innovation in the supply chain is underpinned in a study recently published by the Freight Transport Association. 'On track!' promotes the environmental and cost saving benefits that can be found in the supply chain by moving more goods from road and on to rail.

Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's, the Co-Op and B&Q all contributed case studies to the report, outlining precisely the challenges of doing so and the achievements they have made so far. 'On track!' is the result of an ongoing dialogue between FTA and the Department for Transport to explore the possibilities of increasing rail freight traffic from UK retailers and has been endorsed by Mike Penning MP, Under Secretary of State for Transport.

Christopher Snelling, FTA's Head of Supply Chain Policy, said:

"Retail has shown a leading-edge attitude to innovation in the supply chain. Our study shows that the volume of goods in high street stores and supermarkets being regularly moved by rail is on the rise and that the retail sector’s appetite for modal shift is stronger than ever. Our study shows that it is clearly reaping the benefits."

A copy of 'On track!' can be found at http://modeshiftcentre.org/railfreight
 

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